As the curtain falls on 2025, the electric vehicle (EV) world is buzzing with both triumphs and turbulence. Two automotive giants—Tesla and Mahindra—are making headlines for very different reasons. Tesla finds itself at a crossroads, balancing record-breaking deliveries with falling profits, regulatory headwinds, and an ambitious pivot toward autonomy and robotics. Meanwhile, Mahindra is charging into the future with the launch of India’s first ground-up electric seven-seater SUV, the XEV 9S, a move that could reshape family road trips across the subcontinent.
Mahindra’s XEV 9S: India’s Family EV Revolution
On November 28, 2025, Mahindra unveiled the XEV 9S Seven Seater EV, a landmark in India’s automotive history. Built from scratch on Mahindra’s INGLO platform, the XEV 9S is the country’s first authentic electric seven-seater SUV, and it’s priced to disrupt: starting at just ₹19.95 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings open on January 14, 2026, with deliveries set to begin just over a week later, on January 23. The timing couldn’t be better for Indian families looking to go green in the new year.
Mahindra’s lineup covers a range of needs and budgets, offering battery packs of 59 kWh, 70 kWh, and 79 kWh, with prices spanning ₹19.95 lakh to ₹29.45 lakh. Power outputs scale from 170 kW to a punchy 210 kW, all delivering a robust 380 Nm of torque and 0-100 km/h acceleration in about seven seconds. Real-world range stretches from 400 km on the base model to an impressive 500 km on the largest battery, and superfast charging means you can go from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes on a 180 kW DC charger.
But specs only tell part of the story. The XEV 9S’s design is a statement: a blanked-out grille, sharp L-shaped LED DRLs, a full-width LED light bar, flush door handles, and aero alloys all contribute to a look that’s both futuristic and unmistakably premium. Inside, the cabin is a sanctuary for families, boasting a panoramic skyroof, 4076 litres of front and second-row space, a generous 527-litre boot, and a 150-litre frunk perfect for beach days or road trip essentials.
Comfort is king here. Second-row captain seats slide and recline, offer power adjustments, ventilation, and sunshades, while the third row folds 50:50 for maximum flexibility. Tech lovers will be right at home with triple 12.3-inch screens powered by Snapdragon processors, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 5G connectivity, and preloaded entertainment apps. The sound system? A 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup with Dolby Atmos, paired with ambient lighting that can cycle through 16 million colors. There’s even a “Camp Mode” for glamping, “PawPal” for pet trips, and cooled storage for refreshments on the go.
Safety hasn’t been overlooked. The XEV 9S is equipped with 6-7 airbags, a high-stiffness body, Level 2+ Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) featuring five radars and a camera, a 360° camera, drowsiness detection, brake-by-wire, Mahindra’s Secure360 live communications, and adaptive suspension on top variants. All-wheel disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring with individual readouts, acoustic glass, auto-park, and video recording round out a comprehensive list of features that put family peace of mind front and center.
Mahindra’s target audience is clear: growing families, EV-curious millennials, long-distance travelers, and forward-thinking buyers eager to ride the wave of India’s EV revolution. By offering a spacious, affordable, and tech-laden EV, Mahindra is staking its claim as a leader in the country’s electric future.
Tesla: Record Deliveries, Rising Ambitions, and Regulatory Roadblocks
While Mahindra is making waves in India, Tesla is navigating a sea of contradictions on the global stage. According to Investors Business Daily and Reuters, Tesla closed Q3 2025 with record vehicle deliveries—about 497,000 units, up 7% year-on-year. Total revenue climbed 12% to $28.1 billion, with automotive revenue at $21.2 billion. But behind these headline numbers, the picture is more complicated. Operating profit tumbled about 40% to $1.6 billion, squeezed by aggressive price cuts, rising costs, and weaker-than-expected revenue from its much-hyped Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
Even more concerning for Tesla’s long-term outlook: global deliveries are projected to decline about 7% in 2025, following a 1% dip in 2024, despite the broader EV market’s continued growth. The company’s response? Double down on autonomy and AI, betting that software and services—not just cars—will drive the next wave of profits.
In a bold move, Tesla launched a 30-day free trial of FSD v14.2 across North America for vehicles equipped with the latest Hardware 4 computers. New features include customizable speed profiles and advanced arrival options for parking. Tesla is also expanding its robotaxi programs, with invite-only rides in Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area, and plans to double the Austin fleet in December 2025. However, all robotaxis still require human safety monitors, and regulators have yet to approve fully driverless operation.
Europe is another battleground. Tesla is conducting FSD ride-along events in France, Germany, and Italy, aiming for regulatory approval from the Dutch RDW in February 2026. But as Reuters reports, the RDW has publicly pushed back, emphasizing that approval will only follow convincing safety demonstrations. Meanwhile, Tesla expects FSD approval in China early next year—a potential game-changer in the world’s largest EV market.
Behind the scenes, Tesla’s AI ambitions are accelerating. Its in-house AI cluster, dubbed "Cortex," now boasts about 81,000 Nvidia H100-equivalent GPUs, thanks in part to a new chip deal with Samsung. The company is positioning itself as a real-world AI powerhouse, not just a carmaker.
But regulatory scrutiny is mounting. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation in October 2025 into nearly 2.9 million Tesla vehicles with FSD after 58 reports of traffic safety violations, including 14 crashes and 23 injuries. Some FSD vehicles reportedly ran red lights or veered into oncoming lanes. NHTSA is also probing Tesla’s remote movement feature, which has been linked to crashes in parking lots and driveways. Multiple recalls in 2024-25—from rearview camera failures to Cybertruck headlight issues—have added to the regulatory pressure.
Despite these headwinds, Tesla’s energy storage and Supercharging businesses are quietly thriving, with record deployments and rising profits. Meanwhile, CEO Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package, approved by shareholders in November, ties his compensation to audacious milestones—20 million vehicle deliveries per year, 1 million robotaxis, and 1 million Optimus robots sold, among others. Supporters see it as a way to retain a visionary leader; critics argue it’s risky and misaligned with Tesla’s current challenges.
The Road Ahead: Two Visions, One Electrified Future
Mahindra’s XEV 9S and Tesla’s evolving strategy highlight the diversity and dynamism of the global EV market as 2026 approaches. Mahindra is democratizing electric mobility for Indian families, while Tesla is betting big on autonomy, AI, and energy solutions—even as it contends with regulatory scrutiny and fierce competition. For consumers and investors alike, the coming year promises to be a pivotal chapter in the ongoing story of electric vehicles.
